C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Chips/programers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 06:25 PM
  #1  
Blackopps's Avatar
Blackopps
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Kemah Texas
Default Chips/programers

New here I just got a 1996 auto that has the LT 4 conversion. I don't know anything about preformance chips/programers. Are they worth the 3-5 bills? If they are worth the money what are some good ones?
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 07:54 PM
  #2  
JJLovell's Avatar
JJLovell
Intermediate
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
From: Troutman NC
Default

Originally Posted by Blackopps
New here I just got a 1996 auto that has the LT 4 conversion. I don't know anything about preformance chips/programers. Are they worth the 3-5 bills? If they are worth the money what are some good ones?
I had one burned by Brian Harris in NC, TBICHIPS or something like that. He's a good guy, knows his stuff. Made a big difference in my C-4
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2013 | 11:07 PM
  #3  
vetteoz's Avatar
vetteoz
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Default

Originally Posted by Blackopps
I don't know anything about preformance chips/programers.
Your ECM has to be programmed in situ from a programmer or software from a laptop;
it doesn't have a removable chip

http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...rogrammer.html

Originally Posted by Blackopps
Are they worth the 3-5 bills?
A search would have shown that most opinions on here are negative

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-for-lt4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...od-or-bad.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...or-an-lt4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ammer-iii.html
http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...rth-money.html
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 07:00 AM
  #4  
MrWillys's Avatar
MrWillys
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
Default

Unless you are tuning to compensate for engine component changes like cam, or compression changes it's not worth it. Simple tire height, gear, or fan temp changes can be done sending out the pcm to someone for about $150 to $200. Want to learn to tune?

http://moates.net/book-master-efi-tu...efi-p-266.html
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 11:55 AM
  #5  
Blackopps's Avatar
Blackopps
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Kemah Texas
Default

Originally Posted by MrWillys
Unless you are tuning to compensate for engine component changes like cam, or compression changes it's not worth it. Simple tire height, gear, or fan temp changes can be done sending out the pcm to someone for about $150 to $200. Want to learn to tune?

http://moates.net/book-master-efi-tu...efi-p-266.html
I'd love to learn to tune. Mine was a LT 1 now it's a LT 4 just looking for more hp
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 12:15 PM
  #6  
c4cruiser's Avatar
c4cruiser
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

If all of the LT4 pieces are in the motor, that should have been a 30HP gain from the LT1. Did you swap in a complete LT4?

You might want to think about headers and a good cat back exhaust to start. That should not really require a "tune" and will provide more HP. You might consider a gear ratio change too. Go with something like the 3.45 gears that came with an LT4/6-speed car. That lower ratio will give you better acceleration in the A4 1st gear as the 6-speed is a 2.64 and 1st in the A4 was 3.06 The A4 OD ratio is something like .70 and 5th gear in the 6-speed is .74 So the 3.54 shouldn't hurt gas mileage.

In any event, if you are looking at further mods like a cam, heads, or similar bolt-ons, do those first then work on a tune.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2013 | 01:07 PM
  #7  
Blackopps's Avatar
Blackopps
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Kemah Texas
Default

Originally Posted by c4cruiser
If all of the LT4 pieces are in the motor, that should have been a 30HP gain from the LT1. Did you swap in a complete LT4?

You might want to think about headers and a good cat back exhaust to start. That should not really require a "tune" and will provide more HP. You might consider a gear ratio change too. Go with something like the 3.45 gears that came with an LT4/6-speed car. That lower ratio will give you better acceleration in the A4 1st gear as the 6-speed is a 2.64 and 1st in the A4 was 3.06 The A4 OD ratio is something like .70 and 5th gear in the 6-speed is .74 So the 3.54 shouldn't hurt gas mileage.

In any event, if you are looking at further mods like a cam, heads, or similar bolt-ons, do those first then work on a tune.
Thanks for the advice. As far as the motor goes the LT 1 was rebuilt to LT 4 specs.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Chips/programers





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:22 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE